Tammy Baldwin tops Tommy Thompson in Wisconsin

Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin has knocked off former Gov. Tommy Thompson in the Wisconsin Senate race, holding onto the seat for Democrats and making history by becoming the first openly gay member of the Senate.

In an acceptance speech, Baldwin said Thomspon had called to congratulate her on the race. The AP called the race for Baldwin, 50.3 percent to Thompson’s 47 percent.

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“I am honored, and humbled and ready to get to work. I am well aware I will have the honor to be Wisconsin’s’ first woman senator,” she said. “I am well aware I will be the first openly gay member [of the Senate]. I didn’t run to make history I ran to make a difference. I know that many of the people listening to the speech tonight may not have voted for me…and I ask you to work with me to move our state forward.”

Thompson was long seen as the favorite to win as he was a popular governor who had won six statewide elections before. But Baldwin broke his streak on Tuesday night. She took advantage of the fact Thompson struggled to win a primary that left him with a depleted war chest.

Thompson had served as governor for 14 years before serving as the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush.

The race was close: Polls leading up to election day showed Baldwin just slightly ahead of Thompson but well within the margin of error. She appeared over the weekend with President Barack Obama at a huge rally in Madison, while Thompson campaigned with Gov. Scott Walker.

Millions of dollars poured into the state as Baldwin charged Thompson had become a Washington insider who left Wisconsin to become a lobbyist. Because Thompson was such a well-liked governor, Baldwin worked overtime to remind voters of his career in Washington. “Tommy Thompson, he’s not for you anymore,” blared one Baldwin ad.

Thompson charged that Baldwin was too liberal for Wisconsin, a state that’s taken on a red hue in recent years. Baldwin is openly gay and supported many of the President’s policies in the House, including the health care law that remains unpopular in the state. She served as the Congresswoman from the Democratic stronghold of Madison.

Though she barely made a mention of her sexual orientation on the campaign trail, she was by far the highest profile LGBT candidate this year.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund alone helped raise and bundle more than $1.5 million for Baldwin’s campaign, according to a source close to the group.

Republicans had felt good about Thompson’s chances in the state especially after Gov. Walker handily won a recall election. But his campaign did see it’s share of stumbles, and Baldwin was able to hold a lead. Thompson’s son reportedly told a fundraiser they were trying to raise money to “send President Obama back to Chicago, or Kenya.”

is karl rove still trying to do voodoo math with ohio? LOL, that was too funny to watch last night. hey anyone see angel eyez or perceptions? i am getting worried, i have a feeling they will be on the side of a milk carton before they show up on politico again.

A victory for Democrats, a victory for Democrats, a victory for gay men and women, a victory of vision over derision. It is safe to say that the American electorate is full-square against the religious, racial, and economic fascism of the extreme right wing.

I saw Rove trying to do that on Fox (I was watching Fox purely for the entertainment value!). It was funny; they had to bring on the Fox head "number cruncher" to explain to poor Rove that Thurston really had lost!